New data shows a growing financial strain on US households is reflected not only in the divide between rich and poor. There's also a widening gap in spending growth between higher income and middle inome households reflecting affordability issues impacting millions of Americans. Sharon Eperson joins us with more.>> Thank you, Steve. You know, fewer Americans have a financial buffer these days. New data from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling forecasts that Americans financial stress will reach an ...

Core Insights - US household debt reached $18.8 trillion in Q4 2025, increasing by $191 billion from the previous quarter and $740 billion year-over-year, with a total increase of $4.6 trillion since the end of 2019 [2] Debt Composition - Mortgage balances are approximately $13.17 trillion, credit card balances are $1.3 trillion, auto loans are $1.7 trillion, and student loans also stand at $1.7 trillion [3] Delinquency Trends - The share of total household debt in some stage of delinquency rose to 4.8% in Q4 2025, up from 4.5% in the prior quarter, marking the highest level since 2017 [4] - The percentage of mortgages entering serious delinquency increased to 1.4% in Q4, up from 1.09% in the previous quarter, although overall mortgage performance remains stable [6] Regional Disparities - Delinquency rates are rising more rapidly in lower-income areas and regions with deteriorating labor or housing market conditions [8] - Seriously delinquent multifamily loans at Freddie Mac have reached 0.48%, the highest in over 21 years, while Fannie Mae's rate is at 0.75%, nearing levels seen during the 2008 financial crisis [8]

The stories are heartbreaking—and there are far too many of them.“I’ve been going through financial issues for years and it’s taking a toll on me,” one person wrote in a Reddit post. “I’m overwhelmed. Unless you have been through it or are going through it, you’ll never understand.”“I've been through it,” another poster responded. “It was literally the cause of my anxiety and depression, the only thing in my life that would cause that. It sucks, I know. I'm still going through it.”“My bank account is negat ...

Delinquency rates on loans ranging from mortgages to credit cards rose to 4.8% of all outstanding US household debt in the fourth quarter, the highest level since 2017, driven by higher defaults among low-income and young borrowers. https://t.co/BnQ8asFFmQ ...

When I think of Thailand, I think of a place where modernity exists alongside tradition. But behind that postcard image of a paradise is another reality. Instability, volatility, uncertainty.And in recent years, economic lethargy. There’s not a lot of innovation in the economy. Thailand’s GDP growth has been about 2% for a while now, while neighbouring countries or peer economies are growing rapidly.Foreign investors have taken note. Or, more specifically, they’ve taken their money. Thailand looking to cut ...

Core Insights - Total household debt in the U.S. reached $18.9 trillion by the end of Q3 2025, with the average household debt at $154,152 [1] Mortgage Debt - The average household mortgage debt is $108,425, which is a normal increase correlated with rising home values [2] HELOC Debt - HELOC debt rose by $8 billion in Q3 2025, marking the fourth consecutive increase in this category, indicating that individuals are borrowing against their homes [3] Credit Card Debt - Credit card debt increased to $1.23 trillion by the end of Q3 2025, reflecting Americans' attempts to manage stagnant wages against rising costs [4] - Credit card debt saw a slight drop in Q1 2025 but increased in Q2 and Q3, with projections indicating an overall rise for the year due to typical consumer spending patterns [5] Overall Assessment - The increase in mortgage debt is attributed to rising home prices, while the increases in HELOC and credit card debt are concerning as they suggest reliance on debt as a financial resource [6]

Growth in South Korea’s household debt levels slowed while staying elevated on the back of steady mortgage lending https://t.co/1f4oeC0du8 ...

Four of Thailand’s largest banks are expected to post sharp declines in third-quarter net interest income as the nation’s persistently high household debt and weakening economy weigh on their business https://t.co/OOucIQHLe9 ...

Thailand’s average household debt is expected to surge at the fastest pace in five years as a weakening economy and rising cost of living force citizens to turn to informal lenders https://t.co/JXeg9WfZb3 ...

Household Debt Overview - Total household debt in the U.S. reached $18.39 trillion in Q2 2025, with an increase of $4.24 trillion since Q4 2019 [2] - The increase in household debt is attributed to mortgages, home equity lines of credit (HELOC), auto loans, and credit cards [1] Mortgages - Mortgages represent the largest share of household debt, with balances rising by $131 billion to $12.94 trillion by the end of June 2025 [3] - Mortgage originations increased slightly to $458 billion in Q2 2025, while 53,000 homeowners faced foreclosure [3] Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC) - HELOC balances grew by $9 billion in Q2 2025, marking the 13th consecutive increase, totaling $411 billion [4] Credit Cards - Credit card balances surged by $27 billion in Q2 2025, bringing total credit card debt to $1.21 trillion [5] - Delinquency rates increased by 6.93%, indicating more Americans are struggling to manage monthly payments [6] Auto Loans - Auto loan balances rose by $13 billion in June 2025, totaling $1.66 trillion, with new auto loans and leases increasing to $188 billion [7] - The median credit score for new auto borrowers dropped by six points, suggesting that more individuals with weaker credit are seeking financing [7] Student Loans - Student loan balances increased by $7 billion in June 2025, reaching a total of $1.64 trillion [8] - Over 10% of student loan balances are now 90 days past due, reflecting rising delinquency rates as missed federal payments reappear on credit reports [8]